Cavaliers at Nets odds, picks and predictions

The Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) and the Brooklyn Nets (0-1) meet Friday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Nets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Cavaliers won 4-0

The Cavaliers opened the season with a 119-111 loss in New York as a 2-point favorite Wednesday night as the Over (229) cashed. The Cavs opened last season 15-0, enroute to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, so it was stunning to see the early loss.

However, with All-Star PG Darius Garland (toe), F De’Andre Hunter (knee) and SF Max Strus (foot) sidelined, it proved to be too much for the Cavs to overcome, and swingman Sam Merrill and F Jaylon Tyson were unable to pull the team to a win as replacements. Merrill did his part, though, posting 19 points, including 5 made 3-pointers. Superstar G Donovan Mitchell went for 31 points on 12-of-25 shooting, while adding 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Nets suffered a 136-117 loss on the road against the Charlotte Hornets as a 5-point underdog as the Over (228) cashed. Brooklyn had 6 players go for 12 or more points. F Michael Porter Jr. had 12 points with a pair of 3-pointers in his team debut, and F Terance Mann netted 13 points with a pair of triples in his first game with the team. C Nic Claxton paced the team with 17 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting.

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One of the biggest offseason acquisitions for the Nets was F Haywood Highsmith from the Miami Heat. However, the team will have to wait a while to see his debut. He has swelling in his knee, and he will be re-evaluated in 8 weeks, or the end of December. To make matters worse, rookie F Danny Wolf sprained his ankle in Wednesday morning’s shootaround, and he is day-to-day.

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Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:49 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -650 (bet $650 to win $100) | Nets +475 (bet $100 to win $475)Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers -11.5 (-105) | Nets +11.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Cavaliers at Nets injuries

Cavaliers

G Darius Garland (toe) outF-G De’Andre Hunter (knee) questionableG-F Max Strus (foot) out

Nets

F Haywood Highsmith (knee) outG Drake Powell (ankle) outF Danny Wolf (ankle) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Cavaliers at Nets picks and predictionsPrediction

Cavaliers 121, Nets 106

The Cavaliers (-650) will cost you 6 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive at this price. Even with a boost or promo, the return would be too minimal, and that’s not a good long-term betting strategy. If you were to insert into a multi-leg parlay, it wouldn’t be worth it, either, as it would minimize the value of your betslip significantly.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

The CAVALIERS -11.5 (-105) is a strong play on the road.

The Nets were able to score in the opener in Charlotte, but they also hemorrhaged points. That’s good news for a Cleveland offense looking for a bounce back on Friday night.

Not only did Cleveland go 4-0 SU last season against the Nets, but it was 2-0 ATS in the 2 games at Brooklyn, covering a double-digit spread both times.

The UNDER 230.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

The Under cashed in 3 of 4 meetings last season. While the Nets were very giving in Charlotte, the Cavs are a little banged up. Mitchell will certainly get his, however. The Nets will have some trouble against a much better Cleveland defense, though.

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Cavaliers at Nets odds, picks and predictions

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